Larnach Castle Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Larnach Castle. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Dunedin Nature and City Tour—Full-Day Cruise Excursion

• Castle, Coast, and City Tour—8 Pax Max—Castle Entrance Included

• Iconic Shore Excursion: Iconic Larnach Castle Tour

• Shore Excursion: Dunedin City, Otago Peninsula, Castle Gardens, and Olveston Tour

• City Highlights, Larnach Castle Gardens Tour

Admission to Larnach Castle and its gardens costs NZ$48 for adults (ages 15 and above), NZ$16.50 for kids ages 5–14, and is free for under-5s. Family passes for two adults and up to four children cost NZ$112.50. Admission to the garden and grounds only costs NZ$24 for adults and NZ$9.50 for kids 5-14, and NZ$57.50 for families.

Yes, Larnach Castle is definitely worth visiting while you're exploring the Otago Peninsula from Dunedin. It's especially appealing to anyone who loves formal gardens and historic architecture. Many Otago Peninsula tours include a visit to the castle alongside natural attractions such as the OPERA yellow-eyed penguin sanctuary and the Royal Albatross Centre.

Per one customer who booked the City Highlights, Larnach Castle Gardens Tour, "Malcolm was a wonderful guide, filling us in on what we were seeing from his perspective as a local. The description of the tour was accurate. We had enough time at the castle to have some coffee and treats, hear the bagpipers and have lunch, as well as tour the inside and outside of the castle. Would highly recommend this tour."

The admission fees for the castle, gardens, and grounds at Larnach Castle are NZ$45 for adults, NZ$15 for kids aged 5–14, and free for kids aged four and below. To access the gardens and grounds only, the tickets are NZ$22 for adults and NZ$7 for kids aged 5–14.

Yes, guided tours are available at Larnach Castle, but they are not the most common way to visit. Private one-hour tours cost $220, plus the cost of regular admission (NZ$45 for adults, NZ$15 for kids aged 5–14, and free for kids aged 4 and below) per group. Tours must be booked in advance.

No, you cannot stay overnight in Larnach Castle itself, but three accommodation types are available within the grounds. The luxurious Camp Estate has five rooms and can be booked as a whole unit; the 4-star Larnach Lodge has 12 individual rooms, and the lower-budget The Stables has six rooms and shared bathrooms.

Day visitors to Larnach Castle can buy lunch, snacks, and refreshments at The Ballroom Cafe, open daily, and you don’t need a reservation. Victorian High Tea is served daily in the Ballroom at four sittings, and reservations are required. Dinner is available to guests staying on the grounds and outside visitors. A 4-course “trust the chef” menu is served, and reservations are required.

Larnach Castle is about 8 miles (13 kilometers) from the Octagon in Dunedin’s city center or a 20-minute drive along the Otago Peninsula. Unless you’re on a guided tour from Dunedin, you’ll need your own vehicle to get there, as the local bus service doesn’t travel up the hill to the castle. Alternatively, you could catch a taxi from the city.

Yes, several special events and festivals take place at Larnach Castle, including an annual Winter Ball in July. The castle also takes part in the local Fringe Festival, Wild Dunedin New Zealand Festival of Nature, and Ōtepoti Dunedin Heritage Festival, so check the website to see if any events are scheduled during your visit. Further, a Victorian High Tea is held daily, and ghost story tours are sometimes held.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Larnach Castle. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula:

• Royal Albatross Centre

• Dunedin Railway Station

• Baldwin Street

• The Octagon

• Olveston Historic Home

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula.